To Be Blessed

Deuteronomy 28:2-3

All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.

We must recognize that not every opportunity that comes our way is from God. If we choose to accept opportunities according to what God wants us to have or do, we’ll see those opportunities turn into blessings.

Blessings of all kinds come from God. Children are blessings. A promotion at work and a special card from a friend are blessings too. God knows how to bless you in every situation. Our job is to do what He says so that our hands will be ready to accept His blessings. But what do we do with blessings when we get them?

Some blessings may seem more like challenges, like parenting for instance. It isn’t always fun and games. Sometimes a parent must discipline the child, enforce consequences, or put up freedom-inhibiting barriers. Just saying no to a child is sometimes a challenge. But if you stay with God and obey Him, you’ll see how God can help you through those challenges. The blessing of being a parent is a gift from God. And it’s an opportunity to give to others.

Blessings from God are eternal. He doesn’t give us blessings so we can toss them on the ground and ignore them. We’re supposed to enjoy what God gives us. Using His blessings to help others is our gift to God.

Making Changes

Matthew 6:6

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then you Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

This weekend on Blogging Domino, I’m reviewing a classic film which shows the trouble that goes with adding a computer to a non-computerized business. It’s a comedy which is funnier today than it was when it was first released. Technology helps us communicate more effectively today than ever before. But I think this film shows that technology isn’t all you need. We need relationships.

Our relationship with God will be the protective influence when we deal with today’s technology. God gives us guidance, wisdom, and help making decisions if we will seek Him. He isn’t against all technology, but expects us to use the wisdom He makes available.

Sometimes our goal should be to cut back on all computers, phones, and other tools so that we can communicate more effectively without distractions. The verse above from Matthew mentions praying in a room, in secret. The Old Testament shows a picture of a prayer room when we read about Daniel (chapter six) in an upstairs room where he prayed. However, he didn’t pray in secret. The windows were open. Probably no air conditioning.

Today, you and I can go into a bedroom, closet, bathroom, or other enclosed space and pray without distractions. My husband took an upstairs room of our house and turned it into his prayer room. When he needed uninterrupted time with God, he let me know to keep the kids occupied elsewhere so he could pray and listen for God’s answers.

Having a room or park bench or some specific place where you can go to pray by yourself will help you focus on what God wants to say to you. Take your Bible with you and maybe a pad of notepaper and a pen to write what God is guiding you to do. Some people have a prayer journal where they record their prayer requests, answers, and ideas they get from God.

Many people see texting as a relationship-enhancing tool, but with God, there isn’t a need for texting. You can get his attention anywhere you go. He’s never too busy, and his battery never needs to be charged.

Close Your Mouth

Romans 7:15-18

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.

Doesn’t that verse sum up our feelings about trying to do what is right. This world we live in has so many temptations to sin. So many. We have to be on our guard all the time to train ourselves to say no to doing the wrong thing. We have to develop a stubbornness about doing the right thing. But even when we want to do the right thing, we end up doing the wrong thing because we are weak.

Super Bowl Sunday is a day known for parties. People gather around the TV and snack on fattening foods for a few hours. Many of those people have departed from their January resolution to lose weight. They don’t want to overeat, but they do it anyway. Discipline needs a little help sometimes. I tried to limit my food intake that day, but after the game was over, I found a weakness for the carrot cake my husband offered me. I didn’t need it, but I ate it. It was delicious.

One thing I can always count on is the mercy and forgiveness of God. His love is stronger than my ability to be tempted. It always has been and always will be. All I have to do is stay connected to Him. He is willing to strengthen me, if I am willing to run to Him. The bond I develop with Him helps me destroy the power of temptation. But if I stop seeking God, it’s so much easier for temptation to get the better of me.

My plan is to continue to seek God and continue to develop my relationship with Him. Won’t you join me?

A Couple In Love

Ruth 3:18

Then Naomi said, “Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.”

Ruth and Boaz are often mentioned in the Bible as a couple who showed love for each other. However, weddings which incorporate the verse from Ruth 1:16 are mistaken if they make it sound like the verse showed Ruth’s devotion to Boaz. “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay” is something Ruth said to her mother-in-law after she joined her in widowhood.

The two women returned to Naomi’s homeland where Ruth saw Boaz as she worked in his fields. Boaz had noticed her among all the workers and spoke kindly to her. I imagine the way he looked at her might have made her blush. He determined later as he woke up and found her at his feet on the threshing floor that he would do all he could to protect her, even marry her.

Chapter four of the book of Ruth gives us the result of Ruth’s and Boaz’s faithfulness. Verse eleven tells us that the witnesses of the engagement of Ruth and Boaz blessed them with, “May the LORD make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the family of Israel.” Verse eleven also mentions Bethlehem, the city of David. “May you have standing in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem.” It seems the witnesses knew what they were talking about because Ruth gave birth to King David’s grandfather.

Happy Month of Love!

Mentoring

1 Timothy 6:11-12

Command and teach these things. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

Paul wrote his first letter to Timothy and called him “my true son in the faith”. Paul was a mentor and father-figure to Timothy. He gave advice and told Timothy to command certain things and explained with “The goal of this command is love”.

Timothy was instructed by Paul to urge others to “be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” This is a command people from all walks of life can receive. This can be obeyed by young and old alike. Pre-school children can learn this.

It doesn’t matter what neighborhood you’re from. If you’re interested in doing God’s will, this is a good place to start.

As a parent, I’m trying to teach my kids to be considerate and have a generous attitude. When they become adults, I’d love for them to be able to recognize opportunities to give to others. My job is to “command and teach these things” to my children so that when they’re adults, they can teach from their own experience.

Making Them Pay

Exodus 14:27-28

Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the LORD swept them into the sea. The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived.

Pharaoh took six hundred of his best chariots as well as other chariots, horsemen, and troops, and he caught up with the Israelites as they camped by the Red Sea. The people looked to Moses for answers when they noticed the armies of Egypt coming at them. Moses told them to trust God and walk across the sea to the other side. Then God dried a path for them at the bottom of the Red Sea, and millions of people and livestock made it all the way across before Pharaoh and his men caught up. The Israelites had no trouble with their animals and wagons, but the Egyptians were thrown into confusion. The chariot wheels jammed and slowed the Egyptians' movement across the sea. When the Israelites were safe, God released the water back into its place so that Pharaoh’s army was drowned.

I can imagine that more than one of the Israelites thought the Egyptians had gotten what they deserved. They were paying for their crimes against the innocent. The Israelites probably remembered the harsh treatment they had endured as slaves as they listened to the water rushing back into place.

When we are wronged we sometimes want to see our enemies pay for what they did to us. Some of us remember part of the verse in Romans 12, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” We might remember those words and pray for God to make an example of them like he did with the Egyptians who rode into the Red Sea after Moses.

But there is another story that we should also remember. In the book of Luke, there was a man who took his beatings and didn’t pray for God to make his enemies pay. He endured the pain and humiliation, knowing he hadn’t done anything to deserve it, but didn’t hate those who hated him. This innocent victim wasn’t really a victim, but a savior, Jesus. He prayed, “Father, forgive them.”

Sometimes trouble comes on the troublemakers because of their own foolishness, carelessness, and stupidity. We don’t have to make people pay for what they do to us. Many criminals wake up and realize they’re living in a hell they created for themselves.

When I look at God, I see someone who wants to show mercy. He is just, but he also loves the people he created. Every one of us makes mistakes, but God still holds out his hand to us. How can we elbow our way past God so we can make our enemies pay, but expect God to see us as innocent?

The Israelites didn’t take out their own revenge. They saw God’s vengeance. We also can follow God and watch him deal with our enemies for us. But it might not look like a drowning in the Red Sea. When God confronts criminals, he can change enemies into brothers.

God Bless the Old Folks

2 Kings 2: 23

From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some boys came out of the town and jeered at him. “Get out of here, baldy!” they said. “Get out of here, baldy!”

Many families teach their children to respect their elders. However, too many kids fall through the cracks and miss that teaching. I’ve seen rude children in public places where the parent in charge doesn’t have control over the children.

Respect should be taught in homes, churches, and schools. It isn’t about religion or culture. It’s about one human showing regard for another.

But again, there are those who missed that teaching.

In the story of Elisha the prophet, a mob of boys came from town and met him along the road. Common sense would suggest they’d either greet him or say nothing and be about their business. I don’t know what those boys were doing or where they were going, but about forty-two of those boys wished they’d practiced using their manners that day. The boys showed their disrespect and bad judgment when they called out to Elisha, saying “Baldy!”

When two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of them, I don’t think those boys ever considered what they did to be a crime worth that kind of punishment. Did the others learn their lesson? Oh, I hope so.

If we practice respect and obedience, we’ll get better at it. God can help us learn without getting mauled by bears. But we have to listen to Him. We have to seek Him.

Accusing the Innocent

Genesis 44:8

We even brought back to you from the land of Canaan the silver we found inside the mouths of our sacks. So why would we steal silver or gold from your master’s house?

Joseph and his brothers were at odds with each other when Joseph was young. When he was an adult, Joseph had an opportunity to bring his family together and spare their lives in a time of famine. But he gathered his family in an unusual way.

The brothers, though innocent, were accused of stealing from Pharaoh.

Why would Joseph accuse his brothers of a crime they didn’t commit? Didn’t he already know what it felt like to be taken advantage of? Didn’t he know two wrongs don’t make a right? Why would a God-fearing man use his power and authority to put an innocent man in jail?

Joseph worked out a complex scheme to make them bring their youngest brother and their father to him, knowing they’d forgive him once they heard all the facts. Because he knew his brothers and his father, he knew he couldn’t just say hello and ask them to relocate to be near him. Their history together had made it plain that in order to fix their relationships, some complicated maneuvering had to be done. Nothing had been simple in that family.

Joseph had to gain their respect, prove his authority, and show his love. Funny how God works to show us that we are forgiven – even through unusual circumstances.

Read more about this in the book of Genesis as you seek God with me.

Stopping the Villain

Esther 2:22

But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai.

Mordecai was a hero. He not only stopped a plot to assassinate the king, but also helped save an entire race of people. According to Esther 10:3, Mordecai, who was a Jew and not of the same nationality as the king, became second in rank to the king because he spoke up for the good of others.

He sounds similar to Joseph who also was promoted to second highest rank in the nation he served. Mordecai and Joseph, though they were both of a different nationality than their bosses, saved their families from certain death. Joseph’s family would’ve starved, but Mordecai’s would’ve died by the hand of their enemies because of the evil Haman who had tricked the king into approving the destruction of the Jews.

Mordecai’s wisdom guided Queen Esther’s steps as both of them played their part in the successful campaign against Haman.

Queen Esther’s story is much more than a Cinderella story because of Mordecai’s influence in her life. Her life before she became queen prepared her for the role she would play in saving her people. She made sure Mordecai was given credit for his righteous acts. When the king was reminded of Mordecai’s heroism, it wasn’t long before the villain was defeated.

Mordecai was a hero, not because of his glimmering smile and well-muscled body, but because of his integrity, intelligence, wisdom, and reverence for the king. I don’t know what Mordecai looked like, but I do know what he acted like. Mordecai was a man of honor.

You can read this riveting story in the book of Esther as you seek God with me.

Who Can Rescue A Child?

Exodus 2:5

Then Pharaoh’s daughter went down to the Nile to bathe, and her attendants were walking along the riverbank. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her female slave to get it.

It’s Christmastime and the phrase spoken in stores all over America is “I need that.” Everyone has needs. Even Pharaoh’s daughter, someone who had all she ever wanted, still had a need. As soon as she saw Baby Moses in the Nile, she thought to herself, “I need that.”

Pharaoh’s daughter found Baby Moses riding in a basket in the reeds along the Nile. She knew the boy was one of the Hebrew babies. She knew she was saving his life by pulling him from the water. Because of her authority as the daughter of Pharaoh, she could have whatever she wanted. She wanted to keep the baby and raise it as her own. Moses was adopted by a woman who picked him out as someone she could save.

If you could have whatever you wanted, whom would you save?

My sister raised her daughter and enjoyed her daughter’s wedding. Now that her house is empty, she rescued an abandoned dog. She received the dog from someone who was looking for a good home for the dog. Not just any new owner would do. You see, the dog is deaf.

Pharaoh’s daughter had to adjust to her new circumstances when she adopted Baby Moses. My sister and her dog had to adjust to each other and give each other time and patience. When you accept someone new into your life, love makes the road less rocky. The give and take of getting used to new circumstances requires mercy and forgiveness. Moses grew up with a mother who loved him and protected him. She could’ve let him float down the Nile and die, but she wanted him.

If you saw someone who needed to be rescued, would you have anything to give?

You don’t have to adopt children to save someone, but it’s a good option. You don’t have to rescue a dog to show love, but that might be a good decision for you. It doesn’t take money and prestige to deliver slightly used blankets to a homeless shelter. If you found out about a family who was having trouble making ends meet, could you give a hot meal or a gift card to them?

This is a good time to inventory the many blessings we have and see if there are things we could give away among them. This is a good time to help someone else have a very merry Christmas.

A Reunion of Children

Genesis 45:6-7

For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

In Genesis, chapters 37 through 50, Joseph’s story is told. In chapter 42, Joseph recognized his brothers after a long absence. He remembered his dreams about them and questioned them, using an interpreter so they wouldn’t know he could understand them. He sent them after the youngest brother who had stayed at home with their father. When all the brothers had come back, Joseph revealed himself to them and wept over seeing his youngest brother again.

After telling his brothers about the famine that should last a few more years, he sent them to get their father and bring him so no one in his family should be destitute. Joseph’s father, Jacob (aka Israel), was shocked that Joseph wasn’t dead as his brothers had claimed many years ago. The brothers told their father all that had happened and he answered, “I’m convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”

When all his family arrived, Joseph helped them get settled in Goshen where they could tend their sheep. Jacob (Israel) was 130 years old when he moved to Goshen. He lived seventeen more years there knowing God had taken care of all his sons, even the one he thought had died. Joseph was glad God brought his brothers to him to begin this last season with family.

Is there someone you want to see again before you die? Is there something you must do or say while you still have the chance?

The days between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve are opportunities for many people to reconnect with loved ones they haven’t seen in a long time. This is the season to say or do what you’ve been meaning to say or do. If you haven’t had the chance to see that older relative, make time for that in your busy holiday schedule.

Joseph had another seventeen years with his father. You might not have that long. Give love today while you have the chance.

Children Hear From God

1 Samuel 3:19

The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground.

When Samuel first began hearing from God, he was just a boy. He didn’t know what was happening. He went to Eli to ask why Eli was calling his name. Eli caught on after Samuel came into his room the third time. He said, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” When Samuel heard his name being called again, he obeyed Eli. Then the Lord told him about Eli’s family. When Eli asked him what God had said, he told Eli. But Eli wasn’t angry. He knew God would do what he’d said.

Samuel grew up hearing God and obeying him.

If we’ll spend as much time as Samuel in worship, dedicating ourselves to God, we can hear from God too.